Whispers within: Accessing intuition through expressive arts

It's fascinating how much we can discover about ourselves when we have a safe space for exploration. I recently had a conversation with a friend about the topic of intuition and following our inner voice. This chat prompted me to reflect and realize how influential expressive arts have been in my journey, enabling me not only to hear my intuition but also to gradually build the courage to follow it.

About intuition

Let's talk about intuition. In my view, there are following aspects to consider when it comes to mastering the guidance of our inner voice:

• Accessing it. Intuition doesn't come from a logical mind, it arrives as immediate knowing outside of conscious reasoning, and we need to learn to recognise it.

• Acknowledging what we sense. It is about honesty with ourselves, and letting ourselves to actually hear what the inner voice is telling without imposing alternative interpretations.

• Acting upon it. As we start analysing intuition through the lens of logic, we get trapped into this process and fail to take action.

The playful nature of art-making

In expressive arts, we use art-making to explore our inner world. In the creative process, we step away (decenter) from habitual thinking. Instead of searching for solutions to the burning question, we explore the terrain of our subconscious. We embrace the open-ended realm of the unknown and let ourselves be guided by our imagination. This allows us to create room for new possibilities and build new ways to resolve our inner conflict.

One of the amazing things that happens during art-making is that it becomes play. Our facilitator helps us enter a child-like mode where there is curiosity for exploration. We are sensitized and encouraged to follow our imagination, pursue our impulses, and explore things that we want to try in that particular moment. And it happens in a safe, non-judgmental space: no good or bad, right or wrong.

As we fully immerse ourselves in the process, we shift our attention to the present moment, not occupied by thoughts or judgments, which puts us in a state where we sense more and become intuitive.

Building a muscle that allows us to do what we truly want

While regularly engaging in the expressive arts process - entering our imaginative realm, and letting our curiosity guide us - something remarkable happens. Over time, we learn to easily recognize what we want, what we like, and develop the strength to act on it outside the session room.

We go deeper and get to know our authentic self by peeling away the layers of limitations that were built on us. And it goes beyond the creative process, we naturally start to integrate these newly discovered ways of acting in our daily life. We become more curious, more present, and more authentic. It's a journey of reconnecting with an inner truth.

Navigating life's purpose

The Liminal - Expressive Arts Circle in Berlin

At certain times in our lives, we all wonder about our purpose and who we are meant to be. I believe that there is not a single, fixed purpose, it's a dynamic process.

We are in a constant search for experiences that are attractors for our inner callings. And as we navigate the journey of life and satisfy these callings, they naturally evolve.

When we ignore inner callings for too long, life becomes challenging. We are either pushed by external circumstances to finally start acting on our desires, or we find ourselves in a low mood state, experiencing a loss of pleasure where nothing really interests us anymore. So, it's very important to keep our inner antennas on, learn who we are, and to follow our curiosity in order to walk happily along our own unique life path.

And expressive arts helps to build this skill. I can feel how much it has influenced my life. I have become much better in recognising my inner impulses, hearing that inner voice whispering, and acting on it in everyday life with more ease, less fear, and greater trust in myself.

I often dream that one day we will build a kind world that serves as a safe playground for everyone, where there is emotional safety and trust, allowing everyone to be authentic and encouraged to live their lives guided by inner curiosity. Then, we wouldn't need expressive art sessions to experience the joy of free, non-aggressive exploration, as our whole life would naturally become like that.

Thanks for reading. Share your thoughts or questions in the comments - what resonated with you, what didn't? Your input helps us grow together.

Considering trying out Expressive Arts? Reach out to me for one-on-one or group sessions.